To the girls who don’t wake up with perfect hair. Who don’t mind eating a Big Mac instead of a salad. Who don’t wear fifty pounds of make up. Who’d rather spend the day in sweatpants than in skinny jeans. Who love the comfort of sweatshirts and baggy sweatpants. Who don’t get all the guys. Who get hurt, but hold back the tears. Who’s not “popular” but still feels like it when they’re with their friends. Who stick to flats instead of heels. Who doesn’t want a prince charming but just wants someone to hold them when they are having a bad day. Who don’t mind having their hair messed up once in a while. Who aren’t afraid to break a nail. Who don’t always get their way. Who don’t get everything they want. Who doesn’t need a guy to tell them they are beautiful and special.

Here is to all the females who, lately, have been feeling completely defeated.

Here is to all the females who, lately, are wondering why bad things keep happening to them.

Here is to all the females who, lately, just want to throw in the towel and completely give up.

Here is to all the females who, lately, feel as though every decision they make never seems to be the right one.

Here is to all the females who, lately, struggle with self-worth and the constant questioning of “why am I not good enough?”

Here is to all the females who, lately, have been thrown the hard ball of life are now struggling to pick up the pieces on your own.

To anyone who is reading this, I want to remind you that THINGS WILL GET BETTER! It is truly okay to not be okay all the time. Some days you may wake up ready to take on the world, while other times you may wake up and feel that the world has completely taken you down. Some days you may get ready for the day in your favorite outfit, use your favorite eye shadow, and apply your favorite lip stick. Some days you make wake up and decide “Netflix and chill” sounds so much better than the plans you made last week.

Throughout the last two years, I have learned that self care is the most important thing when you are struggling. Some may be struggling to mend the broken heart from an ex. Some may be struggling with anxiety or depression. Some may be struggling with mental health issues. The list goes on. But my reminder to anyone and everyone, it is okay to take a day and not do a single thing you had planned. Maybe you decide, instead, that you are going to take a bubble bath and have a glass of wine at noon. Maybe you decide you want to get your nails done and watch the four recordings you have on your DVR. Maybe you want to pig out on Chinese and binge watch Hulu.

Healing is a long process and no one will ever be able to tell you what the right and wrong things are when doing so.

If you want to have a beer with dinner instead of a glass of milk, do it. If you want to not wear make up to the grocery store, do it. If you want to belt out Eminem on your drive to work and scream until your throat hurts, do it. If you want to turn your phone on silent and not talk to anyone, do it.

Each person will be different in how they handle their emotions. But each person is also allowed to do whatever they feel necessary while getting a handle on their own emotions.

Please just be sure to remind yourself that it is okay to not be okay. Today you may feel great and that nothing will knock you down. Tomorrow you could be reminded of something that instantly brings you down. Every day is going to be different than the last. Every day is not always going to be easy. Life is all about choices and it is important to remember that the choices are yours. However you choose to let life get to you will lay the path for how your future will be.